Church of England has its first female leader in 1,400 years

The Church of England has its first female leader in its 1,400-year history. Sarah Mullally was named the new archbishop of Canterbury early last fall and was sworn in earlier this week. Mullally, a specialized cancer nurse, previously served as the Government’s Chief Nursing Officer for England. She was ordained as a priest in 2002. The Episcopal News Service published a transcript of her speech in which she apologized for the “inactions and failures” in Christian churches and communities. “We must not overlook or minimize the pan experience by those who have been harmed,” she said. “In a world already torn by conflict, suffering and division, we must also acknowledge the hurt that exists much closer to home.”